Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration
- Chair of Peter, Apostle
- Thalassius and Limnaeus
- Baradates
- Margaret of Cortona
The Chair of Peter celebrates the triumph of Christ's grace in the heart and soul of St. Peter and in his status as the primary pastor and teacher of the Church. Why do we say "triumph"? Biblical texts show that even if Peter was chosen to lead the Catholic Church by Jesus, he is presented at certain New Testament texts as a weak and sinful man at first:
- He misunderstands Jesus (Mk 9:5-6)
- He weakens in faith after beginning to walk on water (Mt 18:10-11)
- He is rebuked by Jesus (Mk 8:33)
- He boasts (John 13:37-38)
- He denied Christ (Mark 14:66-72)
But, in spite of all these, the Risen Lord appears to Peter and he becomes once again a source of strength to the Church (Luke 22:32).
The Chair of Peter is celebrated as a Feast in the liturgy of the Catholic Church since the 4th century A.D. This Feast is celebrated in Rome as a sign of the unity of the Church founded upon the apostle Peter.
What is a feast? A feast is a liturgical day dedicated to celebrating a significant event in the life of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a major saint, considered to be of high importance but not as high as a "solemnity". A feast is marked by special prayers and readings during Mass to commemorate the person or event being honored, such as the Chair of Peter. Essentially, it's a day of heightened celebration within the liturgical year for Catholics in the universal Church.
Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 22]
- Finding of the venerable Relics of Sts. Martyrs at Eugenia
- Venerable Peter, Monk, and Athanasius, Martyrs
The "Finding of the venerable Relics of Sts. Martyrs at Eugenia" refers to a historical event where the relics of Christian martyrs, specifically believed to be associated with Saint Eugenia, were discovered at a location called "Eugenia," often near Constantinople, according to Byzantine tradition. This discovery is typically commemorated every February 22nd.